Bucks County Youth Sports Leagues Plan for Spring Return Despite COVID Curve Balls

NOTE: All photos are from previous years.

Play Ball! (With Safety in Mind)

While every family must make decisions based on their own situations and comfort levels, the benefits of youth sports are undeniable. Participating in sports has shown to build self-esteem, teach sportsmanship and teamwork, show kids how to play within the rules, develop time management skills, and provide safe social interaction. Opportunities for these life lessons are particularly difficult during the pandemic, and then there are the physical benefits, too!

Restrictions put in place to reduce the transmission of the Coronavirus by Gov. Tom Wolf last fall will likely stay in place for Spring 2021 youth sports in Bucks County, affecting recreational sports leagues whose registration is normally underway this time of year.

In many cases, you can expect players and spectators to be required to wear masks, even during play. Some leagues are reducing the ratio of athletes to coaches to meet COVID social distancing requirements, propelling a need for more volunteers. Others are limiting behaviors such as gum chewing or high-five handshakes. Parents should expect continued restrictions on player drop-offs and temperature-checks. While these measures may impact some aspects of the game, leagues are working hard to proceed with a full spring schedule that's both safe and FUN.

Below are a list of leagues offering teams this spring in Bucks County. Check out their Web sites for registration dates, fees and schedules.

(Photo by Kim Rinella)

Baseball/Softball/T-Ball

Bucks County Baseball Association (Spring and summer): www.buckscountybaseball.com

Bucks County Girls Softball Association (Spring registration is now open, ages 5-18): www.bcgsl.org

Council Rock Newtown Athletic Association: www.crnewtown.org. Registration is now open.

Deep Run Valley Sports Association (Offers quickball for 4-5 year olds, baseball for ages 6-16, and softball for ages 3-18). Registration closes 2/28.
www.drvsa.org

Doylestown Athletic Association (Offers baseball, t-ball and softball) Registration will open mid-January. www.daasports.org

Levittown Continental Little League (Offers baseball and softball for ages 6-16, plus t-ball. Season runs 4/3-6/29). Registration is now open.
www.levittowncontinental.com

Lower South Baseball is a 100% volunteer organization offering T-Ball for ages 3-5 and co-ed baseball for ages 6-12. Season runs 4/19-6/16. Regular registration ends 3/16.
www.lsaabaseball.com

Quakertown Youth Baseball Association: www.qyba.org. Registration is open through March 16^th. The seasons opens on April 10.

Richland Area Softball girls ages 5-24: www.rasasoftball.com

YMCA (Offers T-Ball for ages 3-5).
www.ymcabucks.org/programs/kids/sports-leagues

Flag Football

PENN Athletics Club: Leagues are boys/coed, girls and adult for ages pre-K through 12th grade and adult. Season runs from 4/5-6/7. Registration deadline is 3/8.
www.pennathleticsclub.org

YMCA offers Flag Football for ages 5-15. Season runs 4/11-6/6. Registration is open now. www.ymcabucks.org/programs/kids/sports-leagues

Lacrosse

Central Bucks Athletic Association: www.cblightninglacrosse.com

Council Rock Lacrosse Association: www.councilrocklacrosse.org

Lower Bucks Lacrosse: www.lblax.org

Souderton Area Boys Lacrosse ages k-8: www.soudertonlacrosse.com

Warriors Lacrosse: www.tcteams.com/warriorslax Currently play is suspended while Warrington Townshp parks are closed. Check Web site for further details.

YMCA: learn lacrosse classes for ages 4-6. www.ymcabucks.org